After the successful opening of award-winning Hotel LKF in the summer of 2006, Rhombus International Hotels Group has recently expanded its Hong Kong operations with the opening of Hotel Panorama in Tsimshatsui and Hotel Bonaparte in Wanchai. The company chose to further invest in Hong Kong because of it being Asia’s most popular city destination, its international influence, geographical location facilitating access throughout Asia and a pro-business environment promoting successful companies to build market share and maximise profits.

Based in North America, Rhombus is a subsidiary of its Canadian parent company, C.T.E.W., which was founded in 1987 by entrepreneur Mr. Calvin Mak. After spending more than ten years in the corporate hotel world, Mr. Mak decided to set up his own hospitality consultancy business. He made the decision to work for himself because he wanted to devote all his energy to his passion, which is the hotel business and its operations, rather than playing office politics. This consultancy business proved so successful that it has grown to include the management and strategic development of hotels.

Recruiting staff that give their best

“In the past people wanted to have the comfort of staying in a brand hotel. Guests now are more knowledgeable and looking for excitement and something different.” explains Mr. Mak. The Rhombus brand is very flexible and enables Mr. Mak and his team to develop hotels such as LKF, Panorama and Bonaparte all which have a contemporary style, innovative amenities and high level of personalised service targeting different market sectors depending on location and product. Mr. Mak explains: “If a customer has a good experience they will remember the little things and attention to detail which all add up to leave an overall positive impression of the hotel. We have a professional team who are committed to excellence and will always go that extra step to provide an exceptional level of customer service and an unforgettable experience, even if it means going out to purchase a product if we don’t stock it.” The results speak for themselves with Hotel LKF’s occupancy rate consistently over 90% and repeat visitors accounting for between 65-75% of such. Hotel LKF has been operating less than two years, yet was recently named Best New Hotel in Hong Kong by TTG China. Similarly, Azure Slash Restaurant and Bar, located on the 29th and 30th floors of Hotel LKF was named by HK Tatler as one of the Best Restaurant in Hong Kong.

Why Hong Kong?

The company chose to invest in Hong Kong because the city had a demand and desire for boutique hotels combined with the appropriate fiscal policies to establish and build a successful business. “The city is recognised worldwide as a holiday paradise offering tax-free shopping and a vast array of restaurants, bars and entertainment. Hong Kong is also Asia’s most popular city for international business - located at the heart of Asia’s high growth economies and gateway to China. Hong Kong’s free market economy, pro-business regulations and low taxation make it easy to grow the business and get money in and out” says Mr. Mak. He also believes the Hong Kong Government is very supportive of the city’s hospitality industry. The recent budget announcements which include waiving the hotel accommodation tax, reducing wine & beer duties to zero and spearheading a campaign to promote Hong Kong as an international convention, exhibition and tourism capital are all initiatives in the right direction of promoting and growing the hospitality industry.

Greater China strategy

As well as successfully launching three hotels in Hong Kong in less than two years, Rhombus Group is also currently developing two hotels in Mainland China, located in Chengdu and Shenzhen. The hotel in Chengdu will have three floors designated for single female guests, a customer segment which Mr. Mak believes is currently being ignored and demand is great. “Women are more independent than they used to be and are happy to travel alone for pleasure or business. They have different needs and thus different room design requirements in comparison to men are necessary.” Mr. Mak explains.

InvestHK helped us enormously

Mr. Mak’s top tip for potential investors is to contact InvestHK. “From help with visas and immigration, to initiatives such as ensuring positive publicity and assisting us with obtaining signage in the MTR and KCR stations, InvestHK has assisted us greatly.” he said. Mr. Mak found it particularly useful that InvestHK has staff in Canada as well as Hong Kong to help ensure the success of his new businesses.

www.hotel-LKF.com.hk
www.hotelpanorama.com.hk
www.hotelbonaparte.com.hk

“InvestHK made everything much easier and quicker.”

“Hong Kong is recognised worldwide as a holiday paradise offering tax-free shopping and a vast array of restaurants, bars and entertainment.”